Subra's 'shadow' boxing, Palanivel jabs back
Published: Jun 27, 2009 8:15 AM | Updated: Jun 27, 2009 10:51 AM
The temperature rose another notch today with regards to the battle for MIC deputy presidency as the incumbent launches a scathing attack against one of his challengers.
The temperature rose another notch today with regards to the battle for MIC deputy presidency as the incumbent launches a scathing attack against one of his challengers.
Stopping short of calling him a 'coward', MIC deputy president G Palanivel lashed out at his predecessor S Subramaniam for referring to him as a 'shadow'.
Subramaniam, who was defeated by Palanivel in 2006, is attempting to reclaim the post in the Sept 12 party elections.
Palanivel said politicians who play the role of shadows will eventually emerge to outshadow others.
"By referring to me as a shadow, is he inferring that he (Subramaniam) is not one?
"Since he feels he is not a shadow, why did he not contest the MIC president's post earlier this year?" he asked.
"He calls me a shadow when I had been a deputy president for only three years. What was Subramaniam doing as deputy president since 1981 for more than two decades?
"He did not even have the guts of M Muthupalaniappan who challenged the president," he added.
Party will reject 'back stabbers'
Palanivel said those who play the role of shadows will eventually "outshadow and overshadow" others but those who try to "backstab" will be rejected by MIC voters.
"This is exactly what transpired in the 2006 deputy presidential elections, where a mere 'shadow' like me was able to topple him when supporters of MIC president S Samy Vellu rejected Subramaniam," he added.
Instead of pouring out his frustrations and labelling others, Palanivel said, his nemesis should show what he did as deputy president during his two decades as number two.
"I have had a good two-decade journey in MIC and have used it to understand and integrate with the grassroots while being involved in many programmes that have touched the less privileged among the Indians.
"My growth as one of the top leaders in MIC today was not something gifted to me but something I have worked hard to achieve," he said.
"My success today is due to the grassroots support as well as the support of the president," he stressed.
While Samy Vellu has yet to openly endorse a candidate for the number two post, speculation is rife that he is tacitly backing Palanivel to retain the post and eventually succeed him.
The president has also launched a series of attacks on Subramaniam, especially in relation to the court injunction against the party's debt-ridden investment arm Maika Holdings.
The injunction by Nesa Cooperative, which is linked to Subramaniam, prevents Maika Holdings from disposing its prized asset - Overseas Capital Assurance Bhd - to reimburse the shareholders.
Yesterday, Subramaniam called on MIC members to have the courage to back him in order to save democracy.
As it stands now, the race for the deputy presidency is a three-cornered fight with vice-president S Sothinathan also having announced his intention to contest.
However, party secretary-general and Human Resources Minister S Subramaniam is also being touted as a possible contender.
Stopping short of calling him a 'coward', MIC deputy president G Palanivel lashed out at his predecessor S Subramaniam for referring to him as a 'shadow'.Subramaniam, who was defeated by Palanivel in 2006, is attempting to reclaim the post in the Sept 12 party elections.
Palanivel said politicians who play the role of shadows will eventually emerge to outshadow others.
"By referring to me as a shadow, is he inferring that he (Subramaniam) is not one?
"Since he feels he is not a shadow, why did he not contest the MIC president's post earlier this year?" he asked."He calls me a shadow when I had been a deputy president for only three years. What was Subramaniam doing as deputy president since 1981 for more than two decades?
"He did not even have the guts of M Muthupalaniappan who challenged the president," he added.
Party will reject 'back stabbers'
Palanivel said those who play the role of shadows will eventually "outshadow and overshadow" others but those who try to "backstab" will be rejected by MIC voters.
"This is exactly what transpired in the 2006 deputy presidential elections, where a mere 'shadow' like me was able to topple him when supporters of MIC president S Samy Vellu rejected Subramaniam," he added.Instead of pouring out his frustrations and labelling others, Palanivel said, his nemesis should show what he did as deputy president during his two decades as number two.
"I have had a good two-decade journey in MIC and have used it to understand and integrate with the grassroots while being involved in many programmes that have touched the less privileged among the Indians.
"My growth as one of the top leaders in MIC today was not something gifted to me but something I have worked hard to achieve," he said.
"My success today is due to the grassroots support as well as the support of the president," he stressed.
While Samy Vellu has yet to openly endorse a candidate for the number two post, speculation is rife that he is tacitly backing Palanivel to retain the post and eventually succeed him.The president has also launched a series of attacks on Subramaniam, especially in relation to the court injunction against the party's debt-ridden investment arm Maika Holdings.
The injunction by Nesa Cooperative, which is linked to Subramaniam, prevents Maika Holdings from disposing its prized asset - Overseas Capital Assurance Bhd - to reimburse the shareholders.
Yesterday, Subramaniam called on MIC members to have the courage to back him in order to save democracy.
As it stands now, the race for the deputy presidency is a three-cornered fight with vice-president S Sothinathan also having announced his intention to contest.
However, party secretary-general and Human Resources Minister S Subramaniam is also being touted as a possible contender.
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